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How the band extended its influence to the red planet

Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so who better to start Thursday night’s Rolling Stones concert at the Rose Bowl with some out of this world news.

The actor took the stage to announce to the tens of thousands of fans on-hand that the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band had extended its influence to Mars.

Downey Jr. explained that a rock on the red planet that did a little rolling on November 26, 2018 has been named in honor of the Rolling Stones.

NASA says when its InSight lander touched down on Mars last year, its retrorockets sent what is now known as Rolling Stones Rock moving about 3-feet. NASA says that’s the farthest it had ever seen a rock roll after landing a spacecraft on another planet.

"Some scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a fit of fandom and clever association, put forth, 'Why don’t we name it, Rolling Stones Rock?'" Downey said. “So Charlie, Ronnie, Keith and Mick – they were in no way opposed to the notion, but in typical egalitarian fashion, suggested I assist in procuring 60,000 votes to make it official, so that’s my mission.”

Downey then asked the crowd if they were in favor and of course they approved.

The Rolling Stones followed by doing what they do best - entertaining fans old and young with “Street Fighting Man” to start the show. At one point during the set, Mick Jagger acknowledged his band’s new connection to Mars.

"NASA has given us something we have always dreamed of," he boasted. "I can't believe it. I want to bring it back and put in on our mantelpiece."

The Stones are now off to their next mission – an August 26 gig in Glendale, AZ.